When the Chicago Blackhawks acquired goaltender
Marc-Andre Fleury from the Vegas Golden Knights this offseason, it was expected by almost everyone that he would become the team's undisputed number one netminder. However,
Kevin Lankinen sees things differently.
Lankinen, 26, had a solid rookie season for the Blackhawks in 2020-21, and for a period was being discussed in the Calder Trophy race. By the time the year was complete, he finished with a 3.01 goals against average (GAA) and a .909 save percentage (SV%). He made it clear to reporters recently that he believes in himself, and still wants to be the team's starting goaltender in 2021-22.
"I still want to be the No. 1. That's my goal. I like to compete," Lankinen said to Blackhawks reporter Ben Pope. "The way I see it, if you want to be the best one day, you've got to learn from the best, you've got to compete with the best, and at the end of the day, you've got to beat the best."
Lankinen has no issues with the team bringing in the three-time Stanley Cup champion however, and said that when he first heard of the Fleury news, he was "pumped".
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"It's a really good opportunity. He's a guy I have a lot of respect for. He's been through a lot. He's in the position where I want to be one day,» Lankinen continued. «Getting the chance to get to know him, learn from him, compete with him, it'll be huge."
Given Fleury's resume, which includes a Vezina Trophy win last season, he is the clear cut number one in Chicago right now despite Lankinen's solid 2020-21 campaign, and it will be his net to lose. With that being said, the two should form a very good duo and both will play a big role in the Blackhawks' quest to get back into the postseason.
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